Should Kate Middleton Be The Next Queen? Duchess Preparing For More Public Role In 2017, Reports Say

A "Queen Catherine" could be decades away for the royal family, but Kate Middleton and her husband, Prince William, seem to be getting a head start in 2017. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are reportedly moving into Kensington Palace in London, a 20-room royal palace the couple used to host international leaders, including President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle, while living part-time in the stately home.

Currently, the second royal couple in line to the throne reside on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, in a home gifted to them by Queen Elizabeth II. With Prince William's two-year piloting contract ending in March, however, the new year provides a unique opportunity for the royal family. The two will raise their toddlers, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, in the quiet London suburb, while becoming closer to their civic and political work than they were in the royal country retreat.

The move could certainly indicate long-term plans for the couple, as reports noted Thursday: while the prince reportedly attends the same pre-prep school his father went to, the Wetherby School in London, William and Kate could seek to take a more public role in England and around the world.

Meanwhile, as the queen continues to suffer a cold that has hounded her throughout the holiday season, causing her and Prince Philip, the duke of Edinburgh, to withdraw from their annual Christmas and New Year celebrations, Middleton is preparing to take on even more charity work than she has in past years. Queen Elizabeth II passed down at least 25 patronage roles across a variety of national organizations, including the Wimbledon tennis tournament, as well as children’s welfare institutions, like the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and Save the Children U.K.

"It was a great honor to welcome Her Majesty to Wimbledon in 2010 and we remain immensely proud of her role in the history of the club and the championships," the Wimbledon organization said in a statement. "We would like to welcome HRH The Duchess of Cambridge, who will take up The Queen’s former duties as our patron."

Prince William is also preparing to take a greater role in the public eye, taking over the role of patron to the Rugby Football Union, the governing body overseeing the popular national sport. The couple will also likely ramp up their involvement and efforts in the high-profile campaign for mental health awareness, Heads Together, which the pair founded along with Prince Harry.